A key priority for Tourism Australia

As the national tourism organisation, Tourism Australia has an important role to play in championing and elevating sustainable tourism, not only through advocacy and education, but also through procurement, culture and leadership. It is essential that Tourism Australia lead by example, reducing our events footprint and encouraging others in the industry to do the same. 

Leading by example at ATE23

As Tourism Australia’s flagship tourism trade event, ATE is the perfect platform to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability by reducing the event’s environmental footprint. For ATE23, Tourism Australia have partnered with Rewild to calculate our carbon footprint with a view to offsetting our impact. 

In 2020, Tourism Australia partnered with the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) to develop a sustainability framework for the business events sector. As part of this work EEAA developed an event specific carbon calculator which allows event planners to input all event elements, e.g. flights, catering, accommodation, transfers etc to calculate the carbon footprint of the event. Using this information, and additional metrics provided by Rewild, we are working to estimate the footprint of ATE23. 

Sustainability Partners at ATE23

Rewild Agency: 

• Responsible for quantifying our pre-event carbon footprint for ATE23. This involves identifying all the touchpoints where emissions are being generated and assisting Tourism Australia with data collection. 
• Responsible for quantifying our post-event annual carbon footprint. This involves summarising and reporting on the impacts of ATE23, allowing Tourism Australia to offset (in whole or in part) through the purchase of carbon credits.
• At the conclusion of ATE23, Rewild agency will recommend a reduction strategy for future events.
• For further information, visit their website. 

Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre: 

• Since its inception, GCCEC has been committed to environmentally friendly practices including energy, water, waste management, and in its resourcing and encouraging event planners to hold green events at the Centre.
  
• In 2018, GCCEC became ‘EarthCheck Platinum’ certified in recognition of its commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard. 
  
• For further information, visit their website.

Meet PAT:

• Meet PAT makes the world's best branded portable water station system.
  
• Their water stations combine smart technology with innovative design to deliver clean drinking water with a smaller footprint. 
• They are driven by purpose before profit, to make an impact and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
  
• For further information, visit their website.